Growing up, I was your typical hopeless romantic. If a story had a romance, I was there watching. Especially those geek/popular type story lines (Can’t Buy Me Love, 1987). And if a tv show had that romance plot with the “will they or won’t they” string along, I allowed myself to be strung along. Usually in frustration as I yelled at the tv screen, “Just get together already!” But it was like they couldn’t hear me or something because they wouldn’t. They just toyed with me. And sometimes they had the audacity to never get together! Since I no longer have live television and only do streaming, I have revisited some of those tv couples that led me along with their chemistry-filled teasing. I have to say, watching these with older eyes gives them a new perspective. Like red flags. So many red flags. Here’s a list of couples that made me watch and how I feel about them now.

Castle (2009-2016). Rick Castle and Kate Beckett (Hulu)

I started watching this late in the game and only because my mom watched it. After she passed away in 2011, I continued to watch and I followed through to the bitter end. Literally. The stars couldn’t stand each other and it came to a rather bitter end. I almost didn’t rewatch the series because of all the bad blood that surround Nathan Fillion and Stana Katie. But I ended up watching a few select episodes and then a few more. One thing about my re-watches is I seldom watch shows in order. I tend to skip around to favorite episodes. I believe I re-watched most of this series just not in order. And I stayed away from season 8 because I remembered it was pretty ridiculous. I did watch the finale though just to remind myself how it ended.

Jump the shark: I think it jumped the shark with the whole time travel episode (Time Will Tell, season 6 episode 5). It no longer was a police dramedy but something even it wasn’t sure about.

Should have ended: It should have ended when they wrapped up Beckett’s mother’s case at the end of season 6 and they should have finished the 3XK storyline in season 6. Instead, it limped along for another 2 seasons.

Did it stick the landing? No. Not at all. Not even remotely. This should be an example of not seeing the writing on the wall and forcing stories past their prime. The season 7 finale is a much better note to end on and for me, that’s where I end it. Season 8 doesn’t exist in my world.

Red flags: what, other than the stars hating each other so much they couldn’t do scenes together? As far as the romance for the characters go, it flowed fairly reasonable (in a tv fantasy sort of way) that there weren’t as many cringe-worthy moments as with other couples. Not perfect but when the writing was focused within the actual plot it flowed reasonably well. That’s probably why all the back scene drama hurts so much.

Ed (2000-2004). Ed Stevens and Carol Vessey (YouTube)

The big city lawyer comes home early from work and finds his wife with another man. He moves back to his hometown, pursues a romantic interest with the popular girl from high school and buys a bowling alley. I pulled for the two to get together for three seasons and then I gave up on them. The rewatch though I was compelled by the chemistry of the whole cast. Everyone really did seem like good friends. If this is not, in fact, the case don’t tell me and burst my bubble.

Jump the shark: I don’t know that it made it to a shark. But I didn’t like the whole Dennis story line in season 3. My rewatch I didn’t watch all of season 3 because I found Carol to be a little cruel. In fact, I was happy when Ed finally snapped out of his spell and moved on.

Should have ended: probably should have ended with Carol marrying Dennis and Ed going on his way.

Did it stick the landing? Actually, yes. It ended with [spoiler alert – but it’s been 20 years so don’t complain] with a wedding. Should the characters have gotten together? Eh, that’s debatable. But the chemistry was sure there so I was okay with it.

Red flags: so, so, so many. The whole premise is one that you kind of have to look away at times if you want to watch. I couldn’t watch all of season one. In short, Ed moves home and inserts himself into Carol’s life. Not as romantic as it was 20 years ago.

The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019). Leonard Hofstadter and Penny (no last name, just Penny) (Max)

The nerd dates and marries the hot girl next door. That’s basically it.

Jump the shark: I don’t know, I kind of lost interest in the romance after several marriage proposals.

Should have ended: sometime before the 12 years.

Did it stick the landing? I may get flack for this, but I think in terms of Penny and Leonard yes. Mainly because at the beginning Leonard said their kids would be “smart and beautiful.” So, to have Penny pregnant at the end brought was a bookend. Now, should they have had the story line earlier in the season about her not wanting kids and then not resolve it but rather jump to the pregnancy? No, probably not. So, the ending was good they just got a little mixed up en route.

Red flags: Not sure Penny and Leonard really loved each other. They joked a little too much about him “wearing her down.” That really isn’t all that funny and a bit cringeworthy.

Friends (1994-2004). Rachel Green and Ross Geller (Max)

I hung in there for 10 seasons willing Ross and Rachel together. They dated other people. They dated each other. They were on a break! They dated other people. One would fall back in love and the other one wouldn’t be ready. They took down innocent characters who tried to get in between them. This whole process of making the viewer wait 10 years before getting together is what I call the Friends Flaw. Stop stringing us along like this!

Jump the shark: the whole Joey and Rachel dating each other. Ew! Gross!

Should have ended: character wise it would be when Ross and Rachel had a baby. Show wise though, I think the later episodes are better than the earlier ones. The One with the Videotape (season 8 episode 4) is one of my favorite episodes. But as far as the Ross and Rachel romance, it never recovered after these 5 words: we were on a break!

Did it stick the landing? Sure. Mainly because by that point they had to end up together or else the show would not be re-watchable today. If I invested 10 years waiting for this to happen and it never did, I don’t know that I could rewatch it again knowing it was going to get me upset (looking at you Who’s the Boss). During their reunion, Jennifer said she thought the two characters ended up together with kids. Hmm, okay. Maybe. But if they were hot and cold for 10 years how did they suddenly get their act together?

Red flags: so many. The character of Ross became annoying and unlovable. Let’s look at what drove their break up in the first place – Rachel’s job and his trust issues. Not for me.

Who’s the Boss (1984-1992). Tony Micelli and Angela Bower (Hulu)

My most recent rewatch and very dated. First of all, why is it even a question? Who’s the boss? Angela. Angela is the boss. It’s only a question because the lead star was a male. A former pro-ballplayer gets a job as a housekeeper for a single mom. The chemistry between the leads was palatable. They seemed to enjoy the work which translated to a watchable show. But they sure strong armed the romance. Subtle things like having Tony be a part of the conversation with Angela’s ex husband about custody. Angela in the kitchen helping Tony with the dishes. Family activities. Conversations between Angela and Tony about the kids that spouses would discuss. Little things like that. Then there was the not so subtle things like the attraction between the two characters they would let the viewer in on.

Jump the shark: for 6 seasons they pushed the two together then at the end of season 6 they tried putting the brakes on it with the finale The All-Nighter. I remember the basic gist of this episode from when it aired in 1990 and I did not rewatch it. It broke my heart the first time. After all that pushing of getting the two leads together, Tony cheated on Angela. That’s what if felt like.

Should have ended: before the season 6 finale. It never regained its footing after that. I watched an interview Judith Light gave and she said she thought this could have been a show where the two leads could have gotten together and still been successful. I agree because for all intents and purposes they were together up until the very end of season 6. Season 1-6 is fairly charming but the last two seasons can be skipped. They are both difficult to watch.

Did it stick the landing? sorta. There was no marriage but the two were reunited after a brief stint apart. Tony Danza didn’t want the two to get married because the show was about a question – who’s the boss? First of all, that is ridiculous. As I already mentioned, there is no question here. They also thought having a marriage would hurt it in syndication. And that is also ridiculous. There is no satisfying bookend to this show. Because of that, it is not all that re-watchable. If there had been a better ending, I might be able to watch that season 6 finale.

Red flags: Tony in all of season 8. That last season is a mess and hard to watch because Tony becomes this controlling person and really, Angela should have stepped away at that point.

Before I finish with one more of my favorite couples, let me mention two honorable mentions.

David Addison and Maddi Hayes (Moonlighting 1985-1989) (Hulu). Okay, full transparency here, I only rewatched the pilot. Mainly because I remembered it derailed and ended poorly. I did not want to go down that track again. The Moonlighting curse is something that looms in front of any romantic tension tv plot line. It refers to the dropped ratings that come from getting the couple together too soon. The counterpart though, is the Friends Flaw. So, really this formula of having the two leads come together is still a work in progress.

Lois Lane and Clark Kent in Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993-1997) (Max). Great chemistry between the leads but the show is a bit silly. I did rewatch it but it was a bit difficult to make it through. I couldn’t even answer the four questions so I moved this to an honorable mention. Chemistry yes, plot eh.

Now, back to my favorites.

Chuck (2007-2012) Charles (Chuck) Bartowski and Sarah Walker (Max and DVDs (yes, DVD owner here) from the library).

A normal guy gets a government program installed in his head and turns him into a super spy. Yes, it sounds silly but I like it. There is great chemistry between the whole cast and though some stories are ridiculous it doesn’t really matter. It is a comedy after all. I recommend watching it but let me rank the seasons. Season 2 is the best by far. Then season 3b (beginning with episode 13 naturally); season 4a (until episode 13); season 1; season 4b; season 5 (until episode 9 – DO NOT WATCH THE LAST FEW EPISODES); and season 3a. I should say, 3a is when I stopped watching it originally so they are my least favorite episodes.

Jump the shark: the cards were stacked against this show from the start. The first season was cut short due to a writer’s strike and every season after only received an order for 13 initial episodes and then the seasons would get extended. So, while it was on for 5, each season’s story line would end at 13 and then a new arc would have to be thrown together for the rest of the season. This means the shows aren’t all that even. But I would say after they bring down Volkoff in season 4 episode 13 it lost its focus. Both of Chuck’s parents had been redeemed and the villains given their due. It never regained sufficient momentum after this.

Should have ended: while season 5 is not all that enjoyable the series should have ended with episode 8 Chuck Versus the Baby. At least, that’s where I end it. I refuse to rewatch the last few episodes. Especially the series finale but more about that below.

Did it stick the landing? Absolutely not! I hate, hate, hate the whole memory loss trope. You watch a character develop and experience all these things and then it gets wiped out. Nope. I hate the ending and I’m hoping Chuck fans pull off their request for a Chuck movie to redeem it. Though I offer this caution to be careful what you wish for. We might get a movie but it may not end in a way we want it to. After all, the creators of Chuck were very proud of the ending they gave it.

Red flags: Chuck is a little whiny especially in season 3a. It is usually for comic relief but sometimes even I want to slap him. Lester and Jeff are gross and there for comic relief but some of their antics (most of their antics) make you gag.

All right, I think that is enough. Scrolling up through all these shows I have rewatched makes me realize something. I really need to get a hobby. If you are familiar with any of these characters let me know your thoughts!